The GoodBelly Blog

Kick Start a New Habit Today – GoodTips

Nov4

We’re on Day 18 of our 21 Days to Happy and Healthy. What better time to kick something that’s not working to the curb and introduce an awesome new habit into your life? We are creatures of habit and habits can be hard to break. A new habit can feel impossible to create. Here’s our tip to kick start that new habit you’ve been longing for today.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

What’s the new habit you want to create? Maybe it’s getting up earlier every day and going for a run before work. Maybe it’s only eating (or devouring) desserts on the weekend. Whatever it is, don’t take on too much at one time. Focus on one new habit you want to introduce into your routine.

Conquer Your Mountain

Now that you’ve decided on your soon-to-be new habit, it’s time to take the first step. And the first step can be the hardest. Our tip is to start with a ritual, something ceremonial that symbolizes the beginning of this change in your life. It can be something that eases you into your new habit, like getting up earlier and doing something you love before going for your run. This gives you something to look forward to when you wake up and helps to associate that happiness with your morning run. Or you can pick something big to jump start your new habit. Sign up for a half marathon so your creating a purpose and goal for your runs. Find what works for you. It’s about creating the intention and conquering it!

Give You a Break

It’s okay if you don’t perfect it right away or ever. Really, good luck with that! You’ll slip. You’ll sleep in one day and skip your run. You’ll eat a cookie on a Wednesday. It’s okay! It’s about the big picture. A habit is defined as an acquired behavior pattern followed regularly until it’s basically involuntary; a practice or regular tendency. This does not mean always and without fail. If you hold yourself to that standard, you’ll fall too hard when you do, and it will happen. Write down your intention somewhere – on the fridge, a bathroom mirror, a diary, a note in your phone. When that moment does happen, it’s a great reminder that you’re doing a-okay.